There is a particular kind of summer I have been chasing my whole life.
Not the frantic kind. Not the one where you are squeezing every last drop out of the calendar before Labor Day announces it is over. I mean the one that feels like Ina Garten has you over for rosé on the porch. The one with linen and farmer’s markets and all your favorite people gathered around an outdoor table and finding your feet in the sand and big, juicy tomato sandwiches on toasted sourdough with a heaping of mayonnaise and the good flaky salt.
You know what I’m talking about.
That is the summer I am living right now.
Dixon and Thackston’s summer baseball has us on the road, a family vacation is on the books (Isle of Palms we’re ready for you), a college girls’ trip is already in the group chat and I have carved out a little intentional work travel that honestly feels more like play. In between, I am showing up for my Saturday farmer’s market runs, Garage Barre + Bike and Summer Friday afternoons that I am actually protecting.
Above all, I am being present with Matt, Dixon and Thackston and enjoying a much slower pace.
Think Nantucket meets Ralph Lauren meets a very slow Tuesday afternoon. That is the energy. And I have the favorites list to prove it. A good summer favorites list is really just a love letter to a season you are choosing to show up for.
These are the things in my world right now. The ones I keep reaching for, recommending, restocking and tucking into my bag before I head out the door.
Some are old faithfuls. A few are brand new and have already become non-negotiables (Have I mentioned the YSE Xtreme Glow enough yet?).
Take what fits your summer. Leave the rest.
But above all, sweet friends, make it yours.
XOXO,
Heather
P.S. Before you dive in, a little transparency: the links in this list are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if something makes it into your cart. I would never put something in front of you that I don’t personally reach for and own myself. Your trust means everything and I don’t take it lightly.
Yes, I realize I have tons of Oxfords included on this list. I’m obsessed with them this summer. They are the perfect cover up, shirt to pair with linen shorts or cutoffs or even left untucked over a maxi skirt. You literally cannot go wrong with them. These are some of my most favorite ones that I’m wearing on repeat this summer.
Blue & White Oxford: I have the Ab Blue White Striped & Navy Blue White Striped
Red & White Stripe Oxford: I have red & blue stripe and the solid Chakra red
Lobster Chunky Sweater: The lobster is begging for a trip to the East Coast!
Track Pants: I have both red and green because when I wore the red ones the other day, Thackston Adams went crazy over them and told me my fit was fire and he wanted me to have a pair in his team colors to wear this summer to games. When your 17-year-old gives you a compliment, you pay attention.
Linen Shorts (white): These are the best, most casual and comfy shorts that you can just pull on for whatever, but they feel elevated and easy at the same time.
Stripe Linen Shorts (blue stripe)
Fringe Skirt (yellow): This is my fun, party skirt for the summer. The pop of bright yellow just makes me happy.
Red Linen Maxi Dress: I’m planning to wear this 4th of July weekend with my navy American flag sweater draped over my shoulders. It’s a really beautiful, high-quality linen dress.
Knit Tank - matching set (cream)
Knit Maxi Skirt - matching set (cream): I ordered this matching knit set for easy, summer travel or just to throw on when I want to feel put together but not fussy this summer.
Knit Tennis Jacket - matching set (rich pine)
Knit Tennis Skirt - matching set (rich pine) I just bought this matching set to wear to Thackston’s baseball games this summer (one of his team colors is this bright green) so it’s going in my suitcase this weekend. I’ll take some pics in it. It’s darling!
Lightweight Windbreaker (white)
Wide Brim Straw Hat: Covering my face all summer to keep it protected and cool.
Kopari Golden Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 50: I discovered this body mist sunscreen last year when we went to the Dominican for Spring Break. Every mom stole it from me because it smells divine and also made my body look insane with the dewy glowy sheen. Super easy to apply as well. A must for your beach bag this summer!
Naturium Body Serum: Okay, I have a weekly ritual this summer that includes these 3 products (shower gloves, body scrub and body serum). I’m getting a spray tan every single week. I don’t care what you think. I feel better about life in general when I’m tan. And every single week I take an everything shower and use the body scrub and shower gloves to exfoliate ahead of my spray tan. The day after my spray tan, I begin the body serum and use it every single day in between tans. It’s the most luxurious, clean lotion. It’s not sticky or thick. It’s the perfect consistency for summer and just absolutely melts into my skin. Plus, by keeping my skin super hydrated, my tan lasts much longer.
Yse Xtreme Glow Dewy Peptide Plumping Serum: IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE THING FROM THIS LIST OF MY SUMMER FAVES, THIS IS THE ITEM TO BUY. I’m telling you, this one product has quite literally changed my skin overnight. If you look at my skin before and after starting this serum, you can instantly tell the difference. It is worth the hype and the price tag. I will not go without it. Period.
Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick - Own Your Empire: I just shared this red lip tutorial on my Instagram where I shared these two products and how for those of us over 40 gals, it’s a great way for us to have the red lip that I love so much without it being so severe and making us look older. Also, I’m grabbing this crayon over and over again this summer because it’s so easy to apply and not quite as intense as I want in the fall and winter. Lighter, so to speak.
Sunglasses - Oversized Aviators: Aviators are the universally flattering sunglass shape and these oversized ones are on trend for the summer. Plus this pair won’t break the bank and you won’t be devastated if you happen to lose them in the ocean. Ha!
American Flag Lifeguard Hat: We gave Matt this lifeguard hat for Father’s Day and I’ve already stolen it several times. It’s perfect and not just for 4th of July weekend.
Spanx Square Neck Workout Tank (spanx red)
Spanx Full Length Booty Boost Leggings (spanx red): I posted myself in this set the other day and y’all went nuts. “You look snatched!” was my favorite DM. I’ll take it at 50. I’m here to tell you that I have never felt so good in workout clothes in my entire life. It changed my whole mood going to the gym and so I’ve already placed another order for a different Spanx set.
Quince Italian V-Neck Bikini Top (black): I’m doing the damn thing and wearing a bikini this year. I wore one on spring break and have slowly been adding a few more to my swimwear. I love Quince and this classic black with a high-waist feels age appropriate and chic.
Blue & Green Striped Tote: Returning to the baseball theme, I got this tote for all of Thackston’s tournaments. It’s in his team colors and holds everything I need without being one of those obnoxious Bogg bags. I just can’t do those, y’all.
NugSax Reusable Ice Cubes: Another Father’s Day gift for Matt, these you can use over and over for your cooler instead of constantly having to run grab a bag of ice.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles: When Matt had his emergency open heart surgery three years ago, we completely overhauled our pantry and fridge and that includes plastic water bottles. We don’t buy them at all anymore. Instead we refill these stainless bottles and throw them in our cooler and keep them in our garage fridge. Not only does the water taste so much better, but we can rest assured we’re not consuming as many microplastics.
Ninja Foodi Blender: I use this every single day to make my morning smoothie. It’s a glass pitcher instead of plastic, which was hugely important to us.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett: I’m reading this right now and almost half way through it. If you love Southern fiction, this is the book for you. I’m invested in the characters so deeply and have found myself sneaking in times to read it because I just want more of the story. Stockett’s Southern dialogue is brilliant (and accurate!)
Beach Read by Emily Henry: The most perfect beach read, hence the title. And, you’ll want to read it before the movie releases.
Voicemails for Isabelle (Netflix): Okay, I watched this last week on the day it released. I texted Lindsey from our team 10 minutes in and told her I was already sobbing. We can thank Zoey Deutch for bringing back a good old-fashioned rom com. Also, the official playlist is PHENOMENAL! An immediate download.
Dutton Ranch (Paramount)
Off Campus (Prime)
Harlan’s Coban’s I Will Find You (Netflix)
It’s not out yet, but I am counting the days til The Five-Star Weekend premieres on Peacock on July 9.
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